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Ahhh...spring is in the air - young lovers are out everywhere and where am I you might wonder? Well...sewing a poodle skirt of course! Silly you, I bet you thought I had spring fever too :) I do, I do, but first I have a PILEof sewing to finish.

The poodle skirt is for my little friend Madeline. She and her daddy are invited to the Girl Scout 50's Sock Hop and she had to call her "Granny" Candy to hook her up with a girly look! Actually, I'm not really her granny, I think I'm just the oldest person her mommy knows that can both sew and remember when they wore poodle skirts :)

Here's how it turned out (it's folded over a hanger, I wasn't gonna iron that puppy twice just for a picture!) Of course I used felt for the skirt - what an easy sew - no hemming needed! And instead of being really creative and cutting out my own, I used an applique I bought at Wal-Mart. Good ole' Wal-Mart...when we're in a pinch, what would we do without 'em?

Next, I added some bling for the leash. By the way, a bit of trivia here, I read that back in the fifties if you wore a poodle skirt with a leash it meant you had a beau and was tied to him already. But if your poodle was without a leash, you were available for dancing that night...

Finished it with a matching hair bow and a little scarf with hot fix crystals that say "Sweet"...which is just what my little friend Maddie is...the sweetest little five year old I know♥

Want to make one of your own? They only take an hour or so and I found an adorable poodle applique pattern from Love in Stitches. And good directions on how to make the skirt here. Enjoy!

Life lessons learned from a dog...

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy-ride.Get the most out of the experience of fresh air and wind in your faceWhen family members come home, always run to greet them.Be obedient; when it’s in your best interest.Protect your territory.Take naps and stretch before rising.Run and play daily.Eat with enthusiasm.Be loyal.Never pretend to be something you’re not.If you want what is buried, dig until you find it.When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle them gently.Thrive on attention and let people touch you.Don’t bite when a growl will do.On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t feel guilty and pout. Run right back and make friends.Bond with your pack.Delight in the simple joy of a long walkIf it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss♥

Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is my studio, a cluttered jewel filled with fabrics and patterns and notions. Each area a treasure to me. As long as I can remember, I have been able to look beyond an object and see a merging art form. So I collect buttons and ribbons and threads and create one of a kind bags and all sorts of little needful things. Each one unique. Each one hand made by me.

As keeper of this space, I invite you to linger awhile...and share this journal while I detail with stitches and clarify with words my love of sewing. And as I spend this moment with you, I want you to know that every piece I create has been pondered and pampered with thought to design and color. It has been dreamed or envisioned at the most unusual times.

And now, my passion for fabrics has been entrusted to you, my guest, in this newest adventure for me...Majomi Bags